I have a small Portuguese Automatic with a JLC movement, and didn't the Mark XII have the same movement? As I understood this movement was a bit more fragile than its successor in the Mark XV, a modified ETA movement. Was this the reason? I can imagine that the modified ETA movement also was less costly than the JLC. Ah, and thinking about it, but not knowing, maybe the JCL movement ran out of production. Sorry, more questions than answers.

Kind regards,Paul

What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)

IWC had some issues with the JLC movement; they found it a little delicate and not always easy to adjust, especially on the Mark XII. I heard that the problem usually could be solved with meticulous oiling, but I recall when someone called it a "problem child". Not a serious problem, mind you but still a little harder to work with. When I asked about the fact that it had more jewels than thr modified ETA 2892 that essentially replaced it, IWC's technical director told me that did not necessarily make a sturdier movement.

I've had the Mark XII for about 12 years now. It's been oiled and serviced three times and has been keeping fantastic time +/- 1-2 seconds a day. I'm truly impressed. My wife loves it so much, she's now claimed it, and wears it everyday. This one's certainly for keeps.